Order a Louisiana Birth Certificate

This page helps you handle a birth certificate request in Louisiana, including who may order a certificate, which official channels to use, and what to prepare before submitting a request.

The Louisiana Department of Health Center for Vital Records and Statistics handles Louisiana birth records through the Vital Records Registry, the New Orleans Central Office, mail requests, participating Clerks of Court, and VitalChek for online, phone, fax, and will-call orders.

Louisiana Vital Records Registry birth certificate requests

Louisiana is a closed record state, so birth certificates are not public records. A request must include proper identification, the correct fee, and a completed application.

Use the birth and death certificate ordering application to request a certified Louisiana birth certificate by mail. The application asks for details that help locate the record and return the certificate.

• Name at birth
• Date of birth
• Sex
• City and parish of birth
• Father’s name
• Mother’s full maiden name before marriage
• Applicant name, phone number, residence address, email, and mailing address
• Relationship to the person named on the certificate

Before submitting a request, make sure the application is signed and the required identification and payment are included.

• Complete the application for a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate.
• Include a signed copy of a federal or state photo ID.
• Include the correct fee by check or money order if ordering by mail.
• Mail the request to the Vital Records Registry at P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Do not mail cash. Mail order payments must be by check or money order payable to Louisiana Vital Records.

Who may order a Louisiana birth certificate

Certified Louisiana birth certificates are limited to legally entitled requesters. The eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, that person’s current spouse, parents, adult child, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.

An attorney may request the record with a written declaration of representation for an entitled person. The declaration must be on letterhead, include the attorney’s bar roll number, include a copy of current identification, and outline authorization for anyone presenting the request on the attorney’s behalf.

When another adult requests a child’s record and is not one of the legally entitled people, the adult must present a judgment of custody. Notarized custody papers and provisional custody mandates are not acceptable.

Ordering options in Louisiana

Louisiana birth certificates can be requested through several official paths. Choose the method that fits how quickly you need the record and whether you can appear in person.

Online and will-call orders through VitalChek

The Louisiana Office of Public Health does not directly accept credit cards or online orders. For online, fax, telephone, expedited, and will-call service, use Louisiana birth certificate ordering through VitalChek, the authorized service provider listed for Louisiana Vital Records.

VitalChek lists Louisiana birth certificates for events that occurred in Louisiana within the last 100 years. If a record is not currently accessible because it is archived, Louisiana Vital Records will send a letter and keep the request on file until the record can be fulfilled.

Identification requirements

Applicants for a certified Louisiana birth certificate must provide either one primary identification document or two secondary identification documents.

Primary identification may include a current state-issued driver’s license, current state-issued photo ID, current U.S. military photo ID, U.S. or foreign passport, U.S. naturalization certificate, U.S. citizenship certificate, or a current school yearbook or school photo ID for high school students.

Secondary identification may include items such as a Social Security card, original adoption papers, official certified deeds or property title, vehicle title, insurance policy showing the applicant’s name, payroll stub showing the applicant’s name and Social Security number, military dependent photo ID, original DD-214, or a certified true copy of a voter registration application.

Louisiana birth certificate fees

Vital Records fees are set by statute and may change during a Legislative Session. A $0.50 state charge must be added to each mail-in or VitalChek order, and VitalChek internet, phone, or kiosk orders may include additional security or shipping fees.

For mail-in services, fees are payable by check or money order. For walk-in services at the Vital Records Central Office and Vital Records Service Centers, fees are payable by cash, check, or money order.

Older and pre-adoption birth records

Louisiana birth records are strictly confidential until 100 years after the year of birth. Birth records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives.

For a pre-adoption birth certificate, the applicant must be the person named on the birth certificate, be 24 years of age or older, have been born in Louisiana, and have had an original birth certificate removed from the files due to adoption. These requests cannot be ordered over the internet because the applicant’s original signature is required.

Amendments and paternity-related changes

Birth certificate corrections and amendments depend on the type of change and how recently the record was filed. Each application is reviewed by a Vital Records specialist to decide whether the submitted documents are acceptable.

Minor errors on a newborn’s birth certificate may be corrected without charge if the correction request is received within 90 days of the birth certificate file date. Other birth record amendments generally have a non-refundable $27.50 fee, which includes one certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

Paternity affidavits completed at the hospital at the time of birth are submitted by hospital staff and processed without charge. Paternity affidavits completed after the birth certificate has been registered require special processing at the Vital Records Central Office, valid government-issued photo ID for the parents, the child’s certified birth certificate, and statutory fees.

Birth certificate help and contacts

Use these contacts for Louisiana birth certificate ordering questions, VitalChek order questions, and related Vital Records support.

• Louisiana Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160
  Customer Service Hotline: (504) 593-5100
  Fax: (504) 568-8716
• Vital Records Central Office, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112
  Walk-in service hours: 8:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., excluding state holidays
• VitalChek Network
  Phone: (877) 605-8562
  Fax: (866) 761-1855
• Louisiana Department of Health, 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
  Phone: (225) 342-9500